President Bush has blundered badly with the nomination of Harriet Miers. (Udated)

October 16, 2005 | Westpole

[Westpole]

President Bush has blundered badly with the nomination of Harriet Miers. It isn't just the profound split within the Republican Party that is damaging. The presidency itself is weakened because his judgment is now doubted within his own camp.

The Democrats always doubted his judgment, indeed his intellect. Now the same doubts are being expressed on the right. What is it about this nomination that can so undermine the presidency? The main problem with Ms. Miers nomination can be summed up simply - she is a "weak sister".

People respect bold action even when they don't agree with it. The Democrats mostly voted for the war in Iraq even though they opposed it. A bold move by a President will usually be deferred to. But there is nothing bold in this nomination. The very character of the nominee that is emerging is that of a follower not a leader.

Some may believe the strength of the opposition to Miers comes from people with misgivings about her views on Roe or her clandestine leanings on any number of other issues. But that is not what is giving the Bush presidency problems. Mr. Bush could have gone in one of two other directions;

If he nominated a conservative intellectual leader the right would have cheered and the left would have played the same cards they have over other conservative judicial nominees. Their opposition would only have made the President look stronger not weaker. Had Mr. Bush nominated say a leader with centrists or even liberal views the right may have objected but he could claim that "balance" on the court is a an important principal for American stability and his willings to put stability over his party's wishes would have made him look bold and certainly in the media wise. In either case the president would be a bold thoughtful leader but Mr. Bush did neither. He nominated a camp follower, a weak sister whose best quality is her loyalty to him. If confirmed the Democrats would hope the loyalty was binding as long as it was convenient. Whereas the right would hope she would just follow Justices Scalia and Thomas. So what Mr. Bush has done is force both sides to wonder which leader this follower will follow. No one is comfortable with making that speculation for a justice of the Supreme Court. And everyone senses a missed opportunity to increase the intellectual heft of decision making in the country's only forum for which there is no appeal.

[Unicorn]

I say bullshit.

[inquest]

Unless you are a senator you don't have a vote on the issue.

Unless you have a single-digit IQ you'd know that no one here is claiming to have a direct vote.

It is rather odd, though, that you'd get so worked up over something that you insist will have no effect at all.

[Neville72]

Really? Since you're in charge, try not paying your taxes next year and then tell the Federal marshals you're in charge when they're taking you to the slammer.

[Neville72]

Good. Then you realize you're pissing into the wind

[inquest]

Really? Since you're in charge, try not paying your taxes next year and then tell the Federal marshals you're in charge when they're taking you to the slammer.

So that makes three people on this thread now who can't read. Do we have a fourth?

[USPatriette]

"Look, dunce,"

Really. Is this kind of stuff necessary?

[Reagan Man]

Something tells me you have an inferiority complex.

>>>>That makes all public servants "lower level employees", by comparison.

You may think PresBush is a lower level employee, but the facts contradict you. "We the people" is a slogan best expressed on election day. Last November, the people spoke. Miers will probably win confirmation and then you'll have even more opportunities to whine with more endless drivel.

[inquest]

So you claim. But for some reason you still have your drawers in a wad over it.

[NRA2BFree]

I agree - - this poster is a little too new to be posting his own column here twice under two entirely different titles. That's my opinion, anyway.

Awww, c'mon Lancy, he's been here for almost a year (10/28/04). How long do people have to be here before they can post without someone crying to the mods? Just because you guys don't agree with what he says, doesn't mean he doesn't have the right to say it. It doesn't mean he's wrong. You guys want him banned because of it? Unbelievable.

[inquest]

For them it is. They don't really have much else to go on.

[Reagan Man]

>>>>Absolutley, I would like to see Miers withdraw before the hearings as did Douglas Ginsberg

Then I suggest you get Miers to smoke a few joints and hope its caught on tape.

[dighton]

You guys want him banned because of it?

Not sure why you pinged me to this, because I didn't ask for his ban.

[verity]

"Let the process play out and the Senate decide."

Applause! Applause!

[TAdams8591]

LOL! Most doubtful that kind of revelation about a nominee, would have the same damaging effect today.

[GarySpFc]

I have no problem with someone disagreeing if Miers if fit for the office or not. To be honest my first choice would have been Luttig, but knowing a woman would almost certainly fill the seat I would have been happy with Edith Jones or JRB. Any of these would have been my choice. I say my choice, but them I am a Christian, and I want the Lord's choice.

To those of you who are a Christian who have fought the good fight to save babies, prayed until your knees hurt to bring our country back towards God I direct this comment. Is this lady our choice of the Lord's? Would Jesus give this lady the fairness of a hearing? You can disagree if this lady is the Lord's choice, but have you been listening to Him?

The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.”
2 But Samuel said, “How can I go? Saul will hear about it and kill me.”
The Lord said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.”
4 Samuel did what the Lord said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace?”
5 Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.
6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.” 7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The Lord has not chosen this one either.” 9 Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the Lord chosen this one.” 10 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The Lord has not chosen these.” 11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered, “but he is tending the sheep.”
Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”
12 So he sent and had him brought in. He was ruddy, with a fine appearance and handsome features.
Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; he is the one.” 13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came upon David in power. Samuel then went to Ramah.

The Holy Bible New International Version. 1996, c1984 (1 Sa 16:1-13). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

[Judith Anne]

It's pretty ironic how the anti-Miers crowd are the ones accused of being whiners, because the biggest babies are the ones who can't abide any dissent at all.

Not only are you a whiner, you are rude to those who disagree with you. You think you're in a "witty" contest.

It's perfectly clear that I and the others who disagree with your screed can both read AND write. It is by no means clear that you can offer an opinion and garner any support thereby.

[Earthdweller]

"I don't think you realize how fanatical you look, objecting so strenuously to such a basic civics concept as politicians being servants of the people."

I think your are correct to a degree but if we don't honor our elected politicians or our own laws in the slightest, then who are we hurting but ourselves?

One detail that is not mentioned, in DC, there can never be a building of greater height than the Washington Monument.

When the cornerstone of the Washington Monument was laid deposited within it were many items including the Holy Bible presented by the Bible Society. Such was the discipline, the moral direction, and the spiritual mood given by the founder and first President of our unique democracy ."One Nation, Under God."

I am awed by Washington's prayer for America. Have you never read it?

"Almighty God; We make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy holy protection; that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government; and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United states at large."

And finally that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without a humble imitation of whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation. Grant our supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

Laus Deo!

[Reagan Man]

The problem with Doug Ginsberg was, he not only smoked pot as a student, but also as a Harvard Law School professor. Some thought he was still a pothead. IIRC, Bill Bennett was the one who got Ginsberg to withdraw.

[TChad]

Meier's going for the SCOTUS is like an NBA halftime where they pull some schmoo out of the stands to take one shot at the basket from Halfcourt, to win "whatever." Their chance of making the shot is barely possible. But! What if they do. We still don't sign them to an NBA contract.

Oh, sure we do. The schmoo is a really loyal friend of the NBA team owner, and that's why he was picked out of the crowd. Plus, the schmoo played a year of basketball in college! He once scored eight points in a game! So, it's not as if he isn't qualified. I mean, he can dribble and everything. Besides, truth be told, the team owner doesn't give a damn about winning games.

[Ursus arctos horribilis]

MSM wanted the same many here wish for, an all out Armageddon type battle. From which the senate RINOs would have run like hell from.

Will be interesting to see if the senate pubbies who voted overwhelmingly for RB Ginsburg, will now vote against Miers. The RINOs knew all of RBG leftist ways, if they now vote against Miers, claiming they don't know enough about her, it will be hypocrisy of the highest magnitude.